The Church Offers Nurturing, Experienced, Child Care: For the 8:00 a.m. services, the nursery for infants and children up to 4 years old is available in Room 5 of the Education Building Nursery.  At 9 a.m. children below 2 years old are taken to the Nursery located down the hallway on the parking lot side of Huffman Hall.  The 2 to 4 year olds remain in Room 5 of the Education Building Nursery.  Both Nurseries close at 12:15 p.m. There is also a comfortable, sound proof room in the Sanctuary balcony for adults who wish to keep their babies with them during the services.

3 and 4 year old children have two options on Sunday mornings.  ALL children, through age 4, are welcome in the nursery on Sunday morning. Those children who are reliably potty trained and developmentally ready for a more structured environment are invited to attend Sunday School from 9:15 - 10:15 in B16 and Chapel in the Choir Room from 10:30 - 11:00.  

Thanks for Faithfully Wearing Your Nametag each and every Sunday! 
If you need a new nametag, please visit the Welcome Table in the Commons right after church.

Personal Prayer Teams are available during Communion at Prayer Stations on either side of the sanctuary.  One is located on the east side by the windows, and the other one is on the west side in the gallery.  Prayers will also be offered immediately after church by the team near the windows.  All prayer requests and discussions are completely confidential.

Home Delivery of Holy Communion   If you are unable to come to church and would like Holy Communion brought to you on Sunday, please call the church office at 345-8314.

If you attend church but are unable to walk to the Altar for Holy Communion, please notify an usher and the communion elements will be brought to you where you are seated.

The Weekly Word deadline is Noon on Wednesdays.  If you have an article for the Weekly Word please email them to Office@StMattsAustin.Org and JeriM@austin.rr.com

Be in the know!  Subscribe to the St. Matthew's Email Notification Service.  On average, you will receive only one email per week.  The parish email keeps you informed about all the important events happening at St. Matthew's.  Subscribe yourself by sending a blank email to:  StMattsEmail-subscribe@yahoogroups.com   You can unsubscribe yourself at any time.

St. Matthew's Day

Today, following the 10:30 AM Service Lunch in Huffman Hall

St. Matthew's day is our great festival day.  We will have a glorious Eucharist, pulling out all the stops in music and ceremony, followed by our customary lunch and celebration for all ages in Huffman Hall.  The service music will include some wonderful traditional hymns of the church, as well as some well-loved praise songs.

Special thanks go out to the Holy Smokers and the work team led by Stefani Minnear, members of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and the Daughters of the King, for preparing for this fun and happy day together.

COMMUNITY BREAKFAS NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Everyone is invited to the monthly breakfast on Sunday at the 
Education hour, 9:15.  Join us for fellowship and food in Huffman Hall.

Children's Communion Classes:  Communion instruction is an important step in the life of a child.  St. Matthew's will offer a children's communion class during the month of November, with Children's Communion Celebration Sunday to be held on Nov. 18th.   All  children are welcome at the communion rail at St. Matthew's, whether they have had "formal" communion instruction or not, and the parent makes the decision about when is the "right" time for a child to begin to take communion.  Children's Communion Class is an "intermediate step" to assist a child in the discovery and discernment process as they begin to grow into a  awareness of the presence of the wonder of God, the love of Jesus Christ, their own uniqueness and the importance of worship and "church" in their every day lives.  The class will offer instruction in technical specifics (what to do when you get to the altar), theology and symbolism, and heritage and tradition on a child's level, supported with stories and scriptures from the Bible.  The course will consist of early evening sessions, culminating with a celebration at the 10:30 Holy Eucharist on Sunday Nov. 18th.  If you have questions about the Children's Communion Class, or would like to register your child for the class, please contact Kathy Dugat (343-7989 or kdugat@austin.rr.com). 

St. Matthew’s Youth News

All youth, grades 6^th through 12^th are invited to enjoy the movie “Driving Lessons” staring Rupert Grint from the Harry Potter movie series.  We will meet in Huffman Hall at 5:30 for the movie, fellowship, dinner, and discussion.  Because of the length of the movie our time together will extend past the normal two hours.  Pick up will be in Huffman Hall at 8:30 pm.  Next Sunday (September 30^th) the youth group will enjoy our once a month outreach activity.  As young members of Christ’s Church we strive to be better stewards of our local and worldly community, environment, and self care.  Through the outreach opportunities of St. Matthew’s and the broader community we will work together to bring peace to the world. We will meet in Huffman Hall at 5:30 to begin planning the Alternative Gift Market through discussion and deciding important planning initiatives. As well as planning this wonderful outreach ministry we will also play some games, eat, worship, and have a good time!  We will conclude the evening at 7:30 pm and pick up will be at Huffman Hall.  For further information regarding the youth program at St. Matthew’s please contact The Rev. Kevin Schubert by phone at 512-345-8314 ext. 232 or through e-mail at kevin@stmattsaustin.org  

THE DANCE GOES ON!  Have you seen our St. Matthew's children dancing in the halls and aisles?  That's because we are taking lessons from "THE Lord of the Dance" each week in Sunday School!  Come join us in Sunday School each Sunday at 9:15 as we explore the stories and themes captured in Sydney Carter's wonderful song, Lord of the Dance...and before you know it, YOU will be dancing too!  3 & 4 year olds meet in B16, Kinder & first graders meet in B17, second & third graders meet in B13 and 4th & 5th graders meet in B12.  Questions?  Contact Kathy Dugat (343-7989 or kdugat@austin.rr.com)   

St. Matthew’s Gratefully Acknowledges Commemorative Gifts to the St. Matthew’s Permanent Endowment Fund in the past 7 days:

In Loving Memory of Henno Keskkula by

Joyce Statz

If you desire to honor or commemorate a loved one, the envelopes styled
“Permanent Endowment Fund” are provided in the seat back in front of you.

*Discovery Class – for Visitors and Newcomers  Beginning Sunday,
October 14, I will lead a class designed for visitors and newcomers to St. Matthew’s. It will be held during the 9:15AM Sunday school time. This class is designed to prepare those attending to join St. Matthew’s and to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, if needed, when our Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Don Wimberly, is present at our 10:30AM service on Sunday, December 16, 2007. This class will run weekly, with a few breaks, from October 14 until December 16. If you are new to the church and want to learn more about me personally as the rector, St. Matthew’s Church or the Episcopal Church, this is a good orientation. You do not have to be committed to join the church to enroll in the class. Please email me and let me know if you are interested or need more information.